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Strong earthquake struck the island of Kos at 01.32 am on Friday killing two people and injuring many others. A 39-year-old Turk and a 27-year-old Swede are reportedly dead, according to sources.

Five persons who have been seriously injured were transferred to the Heraklion University Hospital in Crete.

The 6.5-magnitude quake hit 12km north-east of Kos, near the Turkish coast, with a depth of 10km, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said. Some buildings have suffered serious damage.

The island's port has sustained damage while the airport is operating normally, said Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Spirtzis, who rushed to the island earlier in the day along with Deputy Shipping Minister Nektarios Santorinios and Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Toskas.

25 firemen with 7 vehicles operate in the area as well as 15 persons of EMAK special unit for disasters.